ATI PN PEDIATRICS PROCTORED EXAM
2026/2027 STUDY GUIDE | VERIFIED QUESTIONS
AND ANSWERS WITH DETAILED RATIONALES |
CHILD HEALTH NURSING EXAM PREP | LATEST
UPDATED VERSION
• This study guide contains 200 verified ATI PN Pediatrics Proctored Exam questions
with detailed EXPERT RATIONALE to help you master child health nursing concepts
efficiently.
• Use this material by reading each question carefully, selecting your answer before
checking the highlighted correct option, then reinforcing your understanding with
the EXPERT RATIONALE provided.
1. A nurse is assessing a 2-year-old child who has been diagnosed with iron-
deficiency anemia. Which of the following findings should the nurse expect?
A. Ruddy complexion
B. Increased energy levels
C. Bradycardia
D. Tachycardia
E. Hypertension
D. Tachycardia
EXPERT RATIONALE: In iron-deficiency anemia, the body compensates for decreased
oxygen-carrying capacity by increasing heart rate (tachycardia). The child will also
appear pale, fatigued, and irritable.
2. A nurse is caring for a child with sickle cell disease who is experiencing a
vaso-occlusive crisis. Which intervention is the priority?
A. Administering antipyretics
B. Encouraging ambulation
C. Providing adequate hydration and pain management
,D. Restricting oral fluids
E. Applying cold compresses to painful areas
C. Providing adequate hydration and pain management
EXPERT RATIONALE: Hydration helps prevent sickling by diluting the blood and
improving circulation. Pain management is the priority intervention during a vaso-
occlusive crisis. Cold compresses are contraindicated as cold causes vasoconstriction
and worsens sickling.
3. A nurse is teaching parents of a child newly diagnosed with type 1 diabetes
mellitus. Which statement by a parent indicates understanding?
A. "My child will need oral medications daily."
B. "We should skip insulin if my child does not eat."
C. "My child will always need insulin injections."
D. "High blood sugar is not dangerous."
E. "Exercise will increase my child's blood sugar."
C. "My child will always need insulin injections."
EXPERT RATIONALE: Type 1 diabetes is characterized by destruction of pancreatic beta
cells, resulting in absolute insulin deficiency. Insulin must always be administered.
Skipping insulin even when not eating is dangerous and can lead to diabetic
ketoacidosis.
4. A nurse is assessing a newborn and notes a heart rate of 90 beats per
minute during the initial assessment. What is the nurse's priority action?
A. Document the finding as normal
B. Administer oxygen and notify the provider
C. Begin chest compressions immediately
,D. Recheck in one hour
E. Increase room temperature
B. Administer oxygen and notify the provider
EXPERT RATIONALE: A normal newborn heart rate is 100–160 bpm. A rate of 90 bpm is
bradycardic for a newborn. The priority action is to administer supplemental oxygen and
notify the provider, as this may indicate respiratory distress or other compromise.
5. A nurse is caring for a child with acute laryngotracheobronchitis (croup).
Which finding requires immediate intervention?
A. A barking cough
B. Low-grade fever
C. Inspiratory stridor at rest
D. Mild hoarseness
E. Rhinorrhea
C. Inspiratory stridor at rest
EXPERT RATIONALE: Stridor at rest indicates significant airway obstruction and requires
immediate intervention. Barking cough, low-grade fever, and hoarseness are common
croup symptoms but are less emergent. Stridor at rest signals severe narrowing of the
airway.
6. A nurse is teaching a parent about the administration of oral rehydration
therapy for a toddler with mild dehydration. Which instruction should the
nurse include?
A. "Give large amounts of fluid at once."
B. "Offer sports drinks such as Gatorade."
C. "Give 5 mL every 1–2 minutes and gradually increase."
, D. "Restrict fluids for the first two hours."
E. "Provide only plain water."
C. "Give 5 mL every 1–2 minutes and gradually increase."
EXPERT RATIONALE: Small, frequent amounts of oral rehydration solution (ORS) are
recommended to prevent vomiting and allow gradual fluid absorption. Sports drinks
and plain water are not appropriate rehydration solutions as they lack the correct
electrolyte balance.
7. A nurse is assessing a child with epiglottitis. Which finding should the nurse
anticipate?
A. Barking cough
B. Drooling and sitting in a tripod position
C. Rhinorrhea
D. Low-grade fever
E. Mild inspiratory wheeze
B. Drooling and sitting in a tripod position
EXPERT RATIONALE: Epiglottitis presents with drooling, dysphagia, high fever, muffled
voice, and the child sitting in a tripod position (leaning forward with neck extended) to
maximize airway opening. A barking cough is associated with croup, not epiglottitis.
8. A nurse is caring for a 6-month-old infant with respiratory syncytial virus
(RSV). Which action is the priority?
A. Placing the infant supine
B. Monitoring oxygen saturation
C. Encouraging oral feedings every 4 hours
D. Applying a warm mist humidifier
2026/2027 STUDY GUIDE | VERIFIED QUESTIONS
AND ANSWERS WITH DETAILED RATIONALES |
CHILD HEALTH NURSING EXAM PREP | LATEST
UPDATED VERSION
• This study guide contains 200 verified ATI PN Pediatrics Proctored Exam questions
with detailed EXPERT RATIONALE to help you master child health nursing concepts
efficiently.
• Use this material by reading each question carefully, selecting your answer before
checking the highlighted correct option, then reinforcing your understanding with
the EXPERT RATIONALE provided.
1. A nurse is assessing a 2-year-old child who has been diagnosed with iron-
deficiency anemia. Which of the following findings should the nurse expect?
A. Ruddy complexion
B. Increased energy levels
C. Bradycardia
D. Tachycardia
E. Hypertension
D. Tachycardia
EXPERT RATIONALE: In iron-deficiency anemia, the body compensates for decreased
oxygen-carrying capacity by increasing heart rate (tachycardia). The child will also
appear pale, fatigued, and irritable.
2. A nurse is caring for a child with sickle cell disease who is experiencing a
vaso-occlusive crisis. Which intervention is the priority?
A. Administering antipyretics
B. Encouraging ambulation
C. Providing adequate hydration and pain management
,D. Restricting oral fluids
E. Applying cold compresses to painful areas
C. Providing adequate hydration and pain management
EXPERT RATIONALE: Hydration helps prevent sickling by diluting the blood and
improving circulation. Pain management is the priority intervention during a vaso-
occlusive crisis. Cold compresses are contraindicated as cold causes vasoconstriction
and worsens sickling.
3. A nurse is teaching parents of a child newly diagnosed with type 1 diabetes
mellitus. Which statement by a parent indicates understanding?
A. "My child will need oral medications daily."
B. "We should skip insulin if my child does not eat."
C. "My child will always need insulin injections."
D. "High blood sugar is not dangerous."
E. "Exercise will increase my child's blood sugar."
C. "My child will always need insulin injections."
EXPERT RATIONALE: Type 1 diabetes is characterized by destruction of pancreatic beta
cells, resulting in absolute insulin deficiency. Insulin must always be administered.
Skipping insulin even when not eating is dangerous and can lead to diabetic
ketoacidosis.
4. A nurse is assessing a newborn and notes a heart rate of 90 beats per
minute during the initial assessment. What is the nurse's priority action?
A. Document the finding as normal
B. Administer oxygen and notify the provider
C. Begin chest compressions immediately
,D. Recheck in one hour
E. Increase room temperature
B. Administer oxygen and notify the provider
EXPERT RATIONALE: A normal newborn heart rate is 100–160 bpm. A rate of 90 bpm is
bradycardic for a newborn. The priority action is to administer supplemental oxygen and
notify the provider, as this may indicate respiratory distress or other compromise.
5. A nurse is caring for a child with acute laryngotracheobronchitis (croup).
Which finding requires immediate intervention?
A. A barking cough
B. Low-grade fever
C. Inspiratory stridor at rest
D. Mild hoarseness
E. Rhinorrhea
C. Inspiratory stridor at rest
EXPERT RATIONALE: Stridor at rest indicates significant airway obstruction and requires
immediate intervention. Barking cough, low-grade fever, and hoarseness are common
croup symptoms but are less emergent. Stridor at rest signals severe narrowing of the
airway.
6. A nurse is teaching a parent about the administration of oral rehydration
therapy for a toddler with mild dehydration. Which instruction should the
nurse include?
A. "Give large amounts of fluid at once."
B. "Offer sports drinks such as Gatorade."
C. "Give 5 mL every 1–2 minutes and gradually increase."
, D. "Restrict fluids for the first two hours."
E. "Provide only plain water."
C. "Give 5 mL every 1–2 minutes and gradually increase."
EXPERT RATIONALE: Small, frequent amounts of oral rehydration solution (ORS) are
recommended to prevent vomiting and allow gradual fluid absorption. Sports drinks
and plain water are not appropriate rehydration solutions as they lack the correct
electrolyte balance.
7. A nurse is assessing a child with epiglottitis. Which finding should the nurse
anticipate?
A. Barking cough
B. Drooling and sitting in a tripod position
C. Rhinorrhea
D. Low-grade fever
E. Mild inspiratory wheeze
B. Drooling and sitting in a tripod position
EXPERT RATIONALE: Epiglottitis presents with drooling, dysphagia, high fever, muffled
voice, and the child sitting in a tripod position (leaning forward with neck extended) to
maximize airway opening. A barking cough is associated with croup, not epiglottitis.
8. A nurse is caring for a 6-month-old infant with respiratory syncytial virus
(RSV). Which action is the priority?
A. Placing the infant supine
B. Monitoring oxygen saturation
C. Encouraging oral feedings every 4 hours
D. Applying a warm mist humidifier
